Differences Between Resistive and Capacitive Screens

Article date: 2.01.12

When buying a smartphone or tablet, one of the most observed by consumers is the touch screen. Many cheaper models bring the resistive touchscreen technology, which uses two layers to interpret the commands. Capacitive screens make the devices are more expensive and are present in the main products. But you know what the differences between them?

Beyond the name, the two technologies are different across the structure. Since the layers that make up the commands to the response time offered. If you are eager to learn more about them and also find out which type is best for your electronics, watch for information that Tecmundo prepared for you.

How works the screens?

There are basic differences in the functioning of these two types of technology. Resistive screens are composed of multiple surfaces. The commands for finger or stylus is held in the outer layer, which comes into contact with a flexible membrane protection. The third layer is the first screen that plays the main window and closes the circuit.

This is how the command is sent to electronic, which will play every point as if it were pressed one click. Resistive screens do not support multi-touch because circuits may conflict. To better understand this problem, try using a computer with two mice. The result is very similar.

Since the capacitive screens are composed of a layer of protection, with a transparent electrode and soon after the glass substrate. Are the electrodes that capture the commands: the electric induction of the fingers makes this layer is activated and send signals to the software running.

The different uses

Until a few years ago it was common to see people with handheld computers and their styluses to achieve more precise handling. Most touchscreen devices was created with resistive screens, which can still be found in many electronics.

This is the case of several smartphones, tablets and GPS navigators, usually more economical than the main market models. This is because the manufacture of capacitive screens is more expensive, making the devices costing up to 50% more expensive.

As mentioned above, the main products of today have a capacitive touchscreen technology. This includes the iPad tablet, Galaxy Tab and Xoom and iPhone smartphones, Galaxy S II and Atrix.

Advantages of each

Both technologies have some advantages. The resistive earn points for being more economical and also allow smaller manufacturers can deliver touch screens to their customers. There is also an advantage that is very curious.

On very cold days, people are wearing gloves can not use capacitive screens. This is because what makes the commands to work is the electricity of the fingers, which are not coming into contact with the unit. Therefore, the resistive screens end up being more appropriate in places of extreme cold.

On the other hand, capacitive screens earn many points for quality images and fast response of the commands. When the software allows the capacitive screens can be operated at several different points, without interference from a point on another. It is the multitouch.

Another point that is higher than the capacitive screens is brightness. The resistive have many problems related to reflection, making it difficult to use them in high-light environments. How have less capacitive layers, the brightness of which is more intense and ensures better quality in your views.

What is the best?

As you can see, the capacitive screens have a number of advantages over resistive. Even if the latter are cheaper, in many cases it is advantageous to spend a little more money to have access to quality images and more accurate responses.

In devices that require less precision like GPS navigators, the resistive screens are without problems. Multitap rarely needed and thus, the screen ends up being more economical enough to meet the demand of users.

Leaving aside applications and prices, there is no saying that the resistive screens are superior. Allowing the use of multitouch, higher resolutions and brightness, less distortion and, again, more accurately and faster response time make the capacitive screens are the most recommended.